SIUE Candlelight Vigil Honors Slain Muslim Students

March 4, 2015, 3:22 PM

A candlelight vigil, to honor three slain Muslim American students, was held Monday night on the campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

The SIU School of Dental Medicine and SIUE sponsored the event that commemorated the lives of Deah Barakat, Yusor Abu-Salha and Razan Abu –Salha, who were killed at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill on Feb. 11.

“SIUE students wanted to show that all lives matter, and that no one should be judged based on their faith or where they come from because We Are One,” said Raneen Taha, a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences. “During the vigil, prayers were sent for these innocent souls and their families.”

“As global citizens and members of the SIUE community, we have a responsibility to respect and support fellow students, faculty and staff,” wrote Cornell C. Thomas, PhD, assistant dean for Admissions and Student Services, in a letter announcing the vigil to the University community.

“We do this regardless of backgrounds or differences. We must work together to eliminate any form of injustice, oppression or violence on our campus. We have all taken the pledge, and we recognize the SIUE value of inclusion. Let us work together and rededicate ourselves to embrace diversity not only on our campus, but also in the world and every day of our lives.”

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville provides students with a high quality, affordable education that prepares them for successful careers and lives of purpose. Built on the foundation of a broad-based liberal education, and enhanced by hands-on research and real-world experiences, the academic preparation SIUE students receive equips them to thrive in the global marketplace and make our communities better places to live. Situated on 2,660 acres of beautiful woodland atop the bluffs overlooking the natural beauty of the Mississippi River’s rich bottomland and only a short drive from downtown St. Louis, the SIUE campus is home to a diverse student body of nearly 14,000.